For some strange reason, my printer decided to freak out. Everything was working fine, then it wasn’t. Even after unplugging and rebooting, the printer would not print.
In my frustration, I attempted to print several documents which sent them into the queue. Several times, I sent those documents on to this invisible place in techie land where they disappeared. Then I completely forgot about them.
The next day, after I unplugged and rebooted again, the printer decided to resuscitate itself and come back to life. But then, all those documents in the queue spilled forth – in fresh black ink – several copies of the symbols of my frustration.
While I was grateful the printer had decided to join me in the tasks of the day, I now added several pieces of paper to my scrap pile.
Then I decided this experience was not wasted. I could learn something valuable and share it with you.
When women first come to GateWay of Hope, they may be stuck behind a wall of depression, past abuse or a relationship struggle. They may be in crisis and need a counselor or they may need an accountability coach to help them over an obstacle. They may need to find relationship in groups so they know they are not alone.
Many of the GateWay women struggle with their identity. Who am I, really? I am searching for healing, but where do I go from here? What does God have for me? How can I find my purpose in life?
They may feel as if they are in the queue, just waiting for some power source to help them move forward.
Then one glorious day, everything begins to make sense. They realize who they really are – the incredible daughters of God.
They are women who have been gifted to help others, to serve in their communities, to raise a family or to live a contented single life.
They are unique and can accept their authenticity while setting boundaries around their hearts.
They represent the future for our country and they influence others through volunteering, facilitating a group or mentoring a younger woman.
The transformation becomes apparent for those of us on staff who have watched them morph into who God created them to be in the first place.
The junk of the past is gone. The emotional baggage has packed up and left.
What remains is the pure, sweet presence of God in their lives, redesigning their purpose and restoring what was stolen from them.
Suddenly, the power source is obvious. The Holy Spirit is alive and well in their souls and they are no longer stuck in the chaos or struggling to find their direction.
They are transformed and released.
They begin to pour forth love and fulfillment into their communities, their workplaces, their churches and their families.
And their influence creates a ripple effect throughout society.
These are the women of GateWay, empowered to move forward with hope and wholeness, because they have experienced an inner healing that can never be taken away from them.
In the Bible, the prophet Joel wrote, “In the last days, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons AND daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men AND women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days” (Joel 2:28-29 TNIV).
This is what happens at GateWay of Hope. Women who once were stuck in the queue are now going forward to make a difference.
Won’t you join us in this incredible ministry? Check out our website or give us a call at 913.393.GATE (4283).
©2016 GateWay of Hope